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Celebrating Our Women in Engineering
National Women in Engineering Day was set up by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) to celebrate its 95th
anniversary. WES is a charity which started in 1919 at the end of the First World War when the women who had worked in
technical jobs during the war wanted to continue with this work. A change of law to ensure that the country reverted to a
pre-war setting when the War finished meant that women were unable to continue with their (engineering) jobs, and were
unwanted in the technical professions. The pioneering and influential women of the time set up the Women’s Engineering
Society, and have been working since that time to ensure equality for women in this non-traditional sector.
Pino De Rosa commented "I am very proud to be celebrating our Women In Engineering. We have a number of women
engineers working for Bridgeway doing a fantastic job, with their numbers continuing to grow. Below are a number of
profiles from some of those who have been willing to share their career journey and
Zoe Smithurst, Project Manager, Site/Ground Investigation: "...after completing a varied collection of 'A' levels due to being unsure of what I
wanted to do, I applied to do a degree in Geology which would also incorporate my love of the outdoors (even if nearly every field trip was wet,
cold and muddy)! I completed the 4 year MESci at Cardiff University but was still unsure what I wanted to do as a career so took the opportunity
of a job as Research Assistant at the University of Hong Kong. On my return to the UK I joined the Environment Agency as an Assistant Scientist.
I then became a Geotechnical Engineer where I could put my degree into practice. I worked on numerous ground investigations and a
earthworks projects which also help me develop my report writing skills.
I joined Bridgeway in 2012 and gained my first experience of GI within a rail environment. Working within this
environment has encouraged me to broaden my knowledge of GI techniques and, as such, develop my understanding of
the different engineering fields. I am currently a graduate member of the Institue of Civil Engineering and working
towards my Member Review to become an Incorporated Engineer.
Although still a minority, women in engineering are now well recognised, respected and make some fantastic
contributions to the field. With so many different disciplines within the subject there are numerous opportunities to find
and develop your area of expertise and I would encourage any girls/women thinking of pursuing a career in engineering
to go for it as your contribution is a valuable as anyone else’s."
Katie Barrowclough, Project Manager, Geomatics: "... I was undecided what I wanted to do when I left school but was
always a hands on, problem solver type of person. I looked at many courses but finally decided on an Engineering
Diploma after attending an open day at college. I started as an Assistant Land and Building Surveyor, after 6 months
progressed to Junior Surveyor and then to Surveyor, a role I stayed in until I joined Bridgeway in 2014. Although I didn’t
have any rail experience, my colleagues and surveying knowledge have helped me to understand surveying on the rail and
progress within the company.
If you were to ask what would I say to encourage any women out there who are undecided on a career path to go into engineering, I would say
"engineering is one of the most diverse areas to work in. If you love solving problems and enjoy learning how things work, then Engineering
could be for you. When working on the railway, you are constantly learning no matter how experienced you are and can side step into different
areas. The rail industry is a positive and thriving place to work and there will always be a constant demand for engineers, so there are many
areas you could specialise in."
tell us why their final desicion was engineering.
As a father of four daughters, it is great to see so many
success stories across the business and I am sure that
these will prove inspiriational to other women who are
considering a career in Engineering!

2. Rachel Wharton, Project Manager, Geomatics: "… I am a farmer’s daughter and always loved the outdoors and
generally anything un-ladylike! I finished University with a Geography degree (BSc) and was looking for my first job. I
was applying for everything and anything. I first joined Bridgeway in 2006 as a Survey Technician having no idea what
surveying was and maybe even now I still don’t! I was then promoted to a Surveyor. I left in 2010 and joined Derbyshire
County council as a Land Surveyor, returning to Bridgeway in 2013 as a Project Manager in the Geomatics department.
Engineering is an interesting and very challenging environment to work in but also rewarding. You see a lot of the
country with a multitude of different activities often taking place at the same time. Rail and engineering is often at the
forefront of new developing technologies, both on the ground and within the office environment. Bizarrely, you are
treated with respect and often get a better rapport with clients."
Valentina Ursida, Engineer, Site/Ground Investigation: “...deciding to study Geology at University seemed to me like
an obvious choice. I come from a seismically and volcanically highly active region, Calabria, in Southern Italy, which is one
of the most interesting areas from a geological point of view. The love and fascination for my land, added to the pleasure I
had always found in studying scientific subjects, were clear signs that I was going to enjoy researching anything that had to
do with the soil. This quickly proved to be true: right after graduating I started specialising in Geotechnical Engineering as I
found this career path more tangible and attractive as you can see your output on site. My extensive travelling experience
allowed me to become a well rounded and skilled professional Geologist."
Maria Bott, Engineer - Infrastructure Services "...I’m 27 and have lived in Nottingham all my life. I've worked my way through school, 6th
form and University to where i am now! Most of my family work in hands-on roles and I always liked that aspect. I originally wanted a career in
teaching PE at schools but decided an Engineering role had better job prospects and career progression. I wanted to study Civil Engineering at
Nottigham Trent but wasn't confident I would understand the course, so did a Foundation Degree. After passing my Foundation Degree, I
enrolled to do a BSc in Civil Engineering and haven’t looked back!
Engineering and rail isn’t for everyone and, as a female on the railway, you do get the odd comments from others but
I find it challenging and interesting. There are more females in engineering roles now more than ever and the old
stereotyping and comments are very few and far between. I would say to any girl thinking about a career in
engineeing - if you are up for a challenge and want a mixture of site and office work then engineering and railway
could really be for you as you get to work all over the country and get to see and try so many different things."
Toni Russell, Examiner, Infrastructure Services: ".... married with 3 Children and 1 dog. I joined the Territorial Army
Royal Engineers in 1997 after being medically discharged from the Royal Logistic Corps in 1995 with a broken hip. I
transferred to the Regular Army in 2000 and trained as a Combat Engineer, Carpenter and Joiner and Bomb Disposal
Specialist. I left the Army in 2008 to start a family and also joined an agency undertaking various short term civil
engineering contracts, including highways maintenance, land reclamation and bridge examining.
My aspiration was always to join the Army but stumbled into engineering by chance. I did the bulk of my trade
If I was to encourage any budding female engineers, I would say yes its dirty work, yes you will possibly face the odd negative attitude but if
you come into this field with an open but tough attitude and be prepared to get stuck in and prove yourself against the odds, the sense of
achievement is worth it and if you worry about having a career and a family I would say its achievable with compromise, good employers and
some awesome juggling skills."
training at the Royal School of Military Engineering, with further qualifications gained more recently at my local
college, studying part time whilst juggling work and family.
Stavrini Charilaou, Undergraduate, Infrastructure Services: "...I am a student at the University of Nottingham
studying Civil Engineering, currently completing a Year Placement with Bridgeway Consulting Ltd.
Engineering is a field that promotes continuous development and encourages practical and critical thinking. Through
engineering, an individual can develop a growth mindset which later describes that individual as a problem solver, a hard
worker, a resilient person who is constantly setting goals and achieves them. This is one of the reasons I chose to study
Civil Engineering.
During my Year Placement I had the opportunity to work with an amazing team of Engineers and Examiners. As an Undergraduate Engineer
working in Infrastructure Services, I gained experience in structure inspections and examinations for railway infrastructure, for which I was also
responsible for producing accurate reports and drawings reflecting their condition. Throughout this experience, a very warm and rather
challenging environment encouraged my personal development."
Please share with family and friends so we can inspire the next generation of budding female engineers!